What’s the best pet insurance – Healthy Paws or Pets Best?
Both Healthy Paws and Pets Best are frontrunners in the pet insurance world, but no two companies are going to be exactly the same, just as two pets can never be exactly the same – so there are some differences you should be aware of. In this guide we’ll talk you through the ways in which these two providers differ – in price, in flexibility, and in coverage. We strongly suggest that you also use our super-speedy pet insurance quote page and review pages, which will help you decide which pet insurance plan is best for you.What do the plans cover?
Healthy Paws and Pets Best both offer accident and illness plans covering things like chronic, congenital and hereditary conditions. Healthy Paws has a simple, fairly comprehensive policy and, unlike Pets Best, it covers alternative therapies. Pets Best has a range of plans with different levels of coverage. Most plans cover exam fees, acupuncture/chiropractic/physical therapy appointments and prescription meds but can be excluded. Coverage included in 'BestBenefit' includes cancer treatment, older pets, behavioral conditions, dental coverage, euthanasia & travel. There's an accident-only plan available for all breeds and ages. Pets Best also offers a no-deductibles wellness plan, starting at $16 a month, which will cover the cost of your pet’s microchipping, neutering/spaying, vaccinations and more. Both main plans cover many common illnesses and conditions that a pet can suffer from, such as:- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Cataracts
- Cruciate injury
- Dental disease
- Dermatitis
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastroenteritis
- Kidney disease
- Limping
- Liver disease
- Lymphoma
- Pancreatitis
- Seizures
- Vomiting
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual coverage options | Unlimited | $5,000, Unlimited |
| Deductible options | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 |
| Reimbursement options | 70%, 80%, 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| When does coverage start? | 15 days | 3-14 days |
| Maximum age at sign up | 13 years | No maximum |
| Are vet exam fees included at no extra cost? | ||
| Are dental accidents covered? | ||
| Are dental illnesses covered? | ||
| Is there a wellness plan offered? | ||
| Is there a virtual vet/telehealth service? | ||
| End of life coverage | ||
| Is there a multi-pet discount offered? | ||
| Is there a charge for paying monthly? | ||
| Is there an app to make claims? |
*Coverage is based on choosing unlimited coverage, 250 deductible and 90% reimbursement
Are there any exclusions?
Both Healthy Paws and Pets Best have the standard exclusion for pre-existing conditions. There are more exclusions in the Healthy Paws coverage: exam fees, wellness/preventative care, dental healthcare, behavioral treatment, among others. If you opt for Pets Best’s accident-only plan you’ll also see things like illness, routine care, illness, chiropractic treatment and acupuncture excluded. Healthy Paws includes hip dysplasia in its plan but only if the animal is younger than six years old when it is registered.How expensive are Healthy Paws and Pets Best?
Healthy Paws generally comes out more expensive than Pets Best. But one of the things the Healthy Paws money buys you is the freedom of having no annual cap on your claim payouts. To be sure of an exact comparison for your pet, however, use our quote calculator – there will be examples where the difference is less significant. | | |
|---|---|---|
Medium Mixed 3 months old in Los Angeles
| N/A* | $26.69 per month |
Golden Retriever 3 years old in San Diego
| $64.89 per month | $46.30 per month |
Chihuahua 6 years old in New York City
| $46.32 per month | $45.11 per month |
Domestic Shorthair 3 months old in San Antonio
| N/A* | $8.38 per month |
Domestic Shorthair 3 year old in Jacksonville
| $28.81 per month | $11.60 per month |
Medium Mixed
3 months old in Los Angeles
$5,000 annual coverage
Golden Retriever
3 years old in San Diego
Unlimited annual coverage
Chihuahua
6 years old in New York City
Unlimited annual coverage
Domestic Shorthair
3 months old in San Antonio
$5,000 annual coverage
Domestic Shorthair
3 year old in Jacksonville
Unlimited annual coverage
Coverage options may vary. *$5000 coverage option not available.
Do Pets Best or Healthy Paws offer discounts?
Pets Best is the place to go for discounts. Whereas Healthy Paws offer no multi-pet discount, Pets Best offers 5% for additional pets on policies and pet parents in military service.Are the plans customizable?
You can add a cat wellness or one of two dog wellness plans at Pets Best for a little bit extra a month – an option that doesn’t exist at Healthy Paws. Annual limit options at Pets Best are either $5k or Unlimited. Deductible options are $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000. Reimbursement options are 70, 80 or 90%. Healthy Paws' annual limit is uncapped and can't be customized, however deductible ($100, $250 & $500) and reimbursement (70-90%) options can.How do I make claims?
Healthy Paws allows you to submit your claim in a range of ways: via post, email, the customer center section of its website, its app or – if you’re old-school – by fax. Just send the paid vet’s invoice. Pets Best also has an online customer center and an app, and requires proof of payment to your vet. Both Healthy Paws and Pets Best might pay your vet directly if your vet is willing, in which case you only need pay what you owe depending on your deductible and reimbursement levels – if the claim is successful.Are they easy to contact?
They certainly are. Healthy Paws has a contact form on its website and you can contact both them and Pets Best by phone (Healthy Paws: 855 898 8991; Pets Best: 877 738 7237). They’re both also contactable via post or – if you’re that way inclined – fax (Healthy Paws: 888 228 4129; Pets Best: 866 777 1434).Customer reviews
Healthy Paws customers seem like happy ones. They comment on the speed with which the company processes claims and the care they take with the wellbeing of their customers’ pets. A recurring theme is that people with pets don’t hesitate to take their animals to the vet when they have a health problem because they are confident of Healthy Paws paying them so efficiently. Similarly, Pets Best reviewers are a contented bunch, speaking highly of the company’s speedy claims procedures. Some have complaints about the way in which claims have been handled but the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.Our Pets Best rating
Overall score
Speed of claims
Customer service
Claims procedure
Easy to understand
Value for money
Our Healthy Paws rating
Overall score
Speed of claims
Customer service
Claims procedure
Easy to understand
Value for money
Frequently asked questions
People ask us a lot of different questions about the pet insurance providers we work with. It’s the smart thing to do because no two insurers are the same. Here are some common questions (and the answers!).What are the waiting periods?
Pets Best comes out a little ahead here, with waiting periods of three days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses (six months for cruciate injuries). Healthy Paws' waiting periods are 15 days for both accidents and illnesses (six months for dysplasia).
Do the plans include behavioral treatments?
Healthy Paws does not but a standard Pets Best policy will include consultations and/or medications prescribed by a vet.
Is there a maximum age for enrolment?
At Pets Best there is no maximum age, Healthy Paws has an upper age limit of 13 years.
Do they need my pet’s medical records?
Healthy Paws requires your pet’s full medical records for your first claim with them, with a 'nose to tail' physical exam required within the first 15 days of coverage. Pets Best asks for 12 months' history.
Will the insurer pay the vet directly?
Both Healthy Paws and Pets Best Pets Best might. If your vet is willing, both insurers will foot the bill via a direct pay scheme, which means that you only need pay what you owe depending on your deductible and reimbursement levels – if the claim is successful.
Is my pet covered in other countries?
Pets Best offers coverage in the US and Canada. Healthy Paws makes no mention of coverage in countries other than the US.
Do they have a vet telehealth service?
Healthy Paws doesn't but Pets Best has a 24-7 vet telehealth line.